When I Was in Milan - Part 2

 

After getting delightfully lost around Central Milan and gawking at the jaw-dropping beauty of the Duomo Cathedral , my friend and I weren’t quite done playing tourist—our day-tour had only just warmed up.

From Missori Train Station

We hopped on a train at Missori station—nothing fancy, just your classic underground hustle—but not without grabbing a trusty bottle of water first (because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from aimlessly wandering European cities, it’s that dehydration is not a cute travel look). 

After two quick stops and some subtle people-watching on the metro, we rolled out at Cairoli station, ready to channel our inner royals and explore some seriously majestic castles. Because when in Milan, why not throw a little medieval drama into the mix?

Piazza Castello

We got off at Cairoli station, walked up to street level, and found ourselves in Piazza Castello. The first thing you’ll notice is the impressive Castello Sforzesco—a huge red-brick fortress with towers and a wide courtyard, right in the middle of the city. It’s hard to miss and definitely worth a few photos.

In front of the castle is the Fontana di Piazza Castello, a big circular fountain that adds a nice touch to the open space. It’s a great spot to take a breather, people-watch, or just enjoy the view. The piazza itself is surrounded by trees and open paths, giving it a calm, relaxed vibe—perfect before heading into the castle or exploring the nearby park.

Stretching Our Legs at Parco Sempione 

From the piazza, we wandered straight through the gates of Castello Sforzesco and into Parco Sempione, which sits just behind the castle. It’s one of Milan’s biggest parks—and honestly, it was a nice change of pace after all the city buzz. Think wide green spaces, gravel paths, tall trees, and locals just chilling on the grass or walking their dogs like it's the most normal thing in the world (jealous).

We didn’t have a strict plan, so we just followed the path, passed by little bridges and ponds, and stopped here and there to take photos or just sit and rest our feet. You also get a nice view of the Arco della Pace (that big arch at the far end of the park) if you walk far enough—and yes, it’s another good photo opp if you’re into that kind of thing.

Wandering Past Arches, Basilicas, and Surprise Canals

After a chill break in Parco Sempione, we followed the path all the way to the Arco della Pace—a massive triumphal arch that looks like it should be guarding the gates of somewhere very important. It’s one of those spots where you feel small in the best way, surrounded by wide open space and Milanese architecture doing its dramatic thing.

From there, we slowly made our way back through the city streets, eventually finding ourselves at the Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore. It’s one of the oldest churches in Milan, and right in front of it are the Colonne di San Lorenzo—a row of ancient Roman columns just casually standing there like it’s no big deal. The whole area has a relaxed vibe, with people sitting on the steps or hanging out in the square. It felt like a nice little time warp.

We kept walking, and without really meaning to, ended up on Viale Gorizia, where things suddenly felt different—like we'd stumbled into another city. That’s where we found Milan’s canal district, and yep, if you squint just right (or stand still long enough), you do get a little taste of Venice. The canals, known as Navigli, are lined with cosy cafés, vintage shops, and street art. The water glimmered in the late afternoon light, and we just wandered—no map, no plan, just vibes.

Ending the Day the Only Way We Know How: Pizza

As evening rolled in, we took one last train—this time towards Via Panfilo Castaldi —to visit a familiar spot: Quaranta Pizza e Cucina, my friend’s restaurant at the time. It was a cosy, no-frills place that served proper local pizza, the kind that doesn’t need anything fancy to impress.

We ended the day there, sharing a meal and winding down after all the walking. There’s something about bruschetta, good pizza, good company, and a quiet table after a long day that just hits right.

Sadly, the restaurant is no longer operating—but it’s one of those places that still sits warmly in my memory. And honestly, it felt like the perfect way to end our little Milan adventure.

Ciao for now, Milan. You’ve been a dream.

xoxo,